Baicalin inhibits the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-6 in the kidneys of apolipoprotein E-knockout mice fed a high cholesterol diet.

Hyperlipidemia is considered an independent risk factor for renal dysfunction and induces a significant increase in the expression of inflammatory mediators, which can be used to evaluate the degree of renal injury. Baicalin is widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine and has multiple pharmacological effects. The present study investigated whether baicalin can attenuate the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‑1) via a reduction in the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein‑1 (MCP‑1) and interleukin‑6 (IL‑6) in the kidney of apolipoprotein E (ApoE)‑knockout (KO) mice fed a high cholesterol diet. These mice were used as a model of atherosclerosis and were treated with baicalin (100 mg/kg/day) daily by gavage for a period of 12 weeks. By contrast, wild‑type male C57BL/6J mice were fed a standard diet. Blood samples were obtained from the angular veins of the mice to measure the total cholesterol (TC) and the expression levels of VCAM‑1, MCP‑1 and IL‑6 in the kidney tissues of the mice were analyzed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Following oral administration of baicalin, no significant difference was observed in the TC in the baicalin group compared with the high cholesterol diet control group. The TC was significantly higher in the AopE‑KO mice compared with the wild‑type male C57BL/6J mice. The expression levels of VCAM‑1, MCP‑1 and IL‑6 in the kidney tissues of the baicalin group were lower compared with those in the high cholesterol diet control group. The results suggested that baicalin decreased the expression levels of pro‑inflammatory mediators and prevented kidney dysfunction in the ApoE‑KO mice fed a high cholesterol diet.